It is one of the most popular zoos in Japan, with approximately 1.4 million annual visitors. Encompassing the 152,000m2 zoo are over 110 species of 650 different kinds of animals, but there aren’t any “superstar” or rare animals like pandas (although there are red pandas here).
And while there are animals from Hokkaido, there is nothing in the park that makes it feel like Hokkaido; having said all that it’s a great zoo with a deep understanding and love for the animals.
The zoo opened in 1967, but there was a period of time when the number of visitors dropped and it was in danger of closing, however, the zoo was brought back to life — even called the No.1 zoo in Japan — through the touching and innovative ideas from the zoo’s director and staff.
Now, I don’t have the space to write about this wonderful story and I don’t know much about it, so let’s move on.
It is no exaggeration to say that what made Asahiyama Zoo “the best zoo in Japan” is due to the following three measures.
- Behavior Exhibit
Allowing visitors to see the true nature of animals’ habits and abilities, the exhibits were ingeniously crafted environments after carefully studying the habits and characteristics of each animal. - Mogu-Mogu Time (Eating time)
The animals’ abilities come to life during feeding time. While feeding the animals, the breeding staff explains the ecology and characteristics of each animal in an easy to understand manner. Unfortunately, it’s all in Japanese. It’s exciting for children and fun for adults as well. - Coexistence Exhibit
A rare exhibit where visitors can see animals that usually inhabit the same environment living in the same space.
※ Seals, Salty-backed gulls, white-tailed eagles, lar gibbons, and Reeve’s muntjacs all live in the same space. This environment replicates the natural world adding a bit of tension and the instincts for survival.
The Seal Hall
A large 1.5 meter diameter cylindrical aquarium called “Marine Way” and an outdoor free range modeled after the fishing ports of Hokkaido, are connected so visitors can observe the animals from all angles.
At Marine Way you can get a closer look at the seal’s lively swimming and rich facial expressions. Watching them happily come and go is quite adorable. And sometimes these curious seals will occasionally stop swimming and stare at you.
The Polar Bear Hall
What’s most exciting is the polar bears splashing into the water. During “Mogu-mogu Time” or eating time, you can see the polar bears dynamically jumping into the water aiming at the fish thrown into the pool.
Don’t forget to check out “Seal’s Eye” as well.The Seal’s Eye is a transparent capsule installed in an outdoor free range cage where you can watch polar bears from the perspective of a seal — the prey from polar bears — and it’s quite scary to see the bears approaching.
The Penguin Hall
Glimpse through a 360 degree tubular tunnel and look into the world of 4 different species of penguins passing through the water with ease; it looks so refreshing you want to dive right in with them.
If you’re lucky, you can see the penguins raising the young ones or parents carefully warming their eggs at the indoor free range cage.
The outdoor free range cage is also popular. Visitors can observe the penguins waddling around within petting distance.
Below are a few small tips.
- Round the facility counter-clockwise.
- There are 3 entrances, whichever you choose, walk counter-clockwise to circulate the facility efficiently. The west entrance is the closest to the most popular attractions.
- The facility is spread out and there are quite a lot of hills, so use the free shuttle bus to your advantage.
- Check the time slots for the can’t miss event “mogu-mogu time” listed on a bulletin board at the entrance and then pick the attractions you want to see.
- The free parking lot (500 spaces) and a private parking fee lot are mixed together so be careful.
※ The fee is only ¥500 per day, however.
